Residence Permit for Study Purposes: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Students

If you are an international student (non-EU citizen) planning to attend a university or PhD program at the University of Salento, you must apply for a residence permit for study purposes. This document allows you to legally stay in Italy for the duration of your academic program.

Who needs to apply?

All non-EU citizens staying in Italy for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit within 8 working days of their arrival in the country.

How to apply for the residence permit: step-by-step instructions

1. Collect the postal kit

Go to a Post Office with a Sportello Amico counter and request the residence permit kit. The kit is a white and yellow envelope containing the application forms.

2. Fill out the application form

Complete Form 1 carefully, following the instructions included in the postal kit.

• Use block letters and a black pen.
• Enter code 24 for study purposes.
• Indicate the total number of attached documents.
• Do not sign or seal the envelope — the postal worker will do this.

Need help?
The International and Admissions Office of the University of Salento offers assistance with filling out the kit every Thursday morning from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Alternatively, you can also contact a CAF (Tax Assistance Center) or patronato for help with completing the kit and preparing the required documents.

3. Documents to include in the kit

Insert copies only of the following documents into the envelope:

• Completed Form 1
• Copy of your passport (personal data page and visa)
• Copy of your entry visa with the entry stamp
• A €16 revenue stamp, available at any tobacconist
• Copy of your health insurance valid for at least one year
• Copy of your enrollment certificate from the University of Salento
• Copy of your rental contract or a declaration of hospitality
• Proof of financial means: scholarship certificate or bank statement
• Receipt of payment of €70.46 for the permit issuance
• Receipt of payment of €30.00 for the kit submission
• Copy of your Italian Tax Code (Codice Fiscale), if you already have one

If you do not have a Codice Fiscale yet, it will be assigned directly by the Questura on the day of your appointment (see section 5).

4. Submit the kit

Take the open envelope to the post office. The clerk will check the documents and give you:

• A postal receipt (called ricevuta assicurata), which serves as a temporary permit
• A sheet with the date of your appointment at the Immigration Office (Questura) for fingerprinting

5. Appointment at the Questura

On the day of your appointment, bring:

• All original documents already submitted as copies
• 4 passport-size photos (white background)
• The postal receipt and the appointment sheet

If you did not include a Codice Fiscale in your kit, it will be issued to you during this appointment.

6. Collect your residence permit

About 4 weeks later, you will receive an SMS notifying you that your permit is ready. Go to the Questura with:

• A valid passport
• The postal receipt
• Your expired permit (if renewing)

Renewing your residence permit

You can renew your permit if:

• You are still enrolled in a university or PhD program
• You passed at least 1 exam for the first renewal and 2 exams for subsequent renewals
• You submit the same documentation as for the initial application

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I work with a study permit?
  Yes, up to 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year.
• Can I change my study program?
  Yes, as long as the new program is consistent with your academic path and approved by the university.